Employment Support

What is IPS?
Individual Placement and support is an evidenced based employment service integrated within community mental health teams for individuals who experience severe mental health difficulties.

IPS aims to help people find and retain employment by finding jobs that are right for them, increase their overall wellbeing and give them a sense of purpose.

Our IPS service enables our clients to be in sustainable employment, regardless of symptoms, diagnosis or previous experience. To be eligable for our service all you need is secondary care support and a desire to enter employment.

Accessing our IPS

Service

For a client to access IPS a referral from a secondary mental health service needs to made (such as a community mental health team).

From there our team at WorkPlace Leeds will process the referral and access the clients eligibility. The client will then be contacted by a member of the WorkPlace Leeds Team, either to complete a referral form or to be invited to an intial assessment – this is dependent on the referral route used.

Individuals accessing IPS will receive holistic support as our Employment Specialists are integrated within secondary care, meaning we work together to support our clients.

How to make a referral:

For Clients:
If you are currently accessing support form a CMHT you can self refer into WorkPlace Leeds (contact info below). We will need the name, contact information and role of the person you are receiving support form in order to confirm your details.

• For Secondary Mental Health Care Workers:
  • Email leedsmind.workplaceleedsreferrals@nhs.net with your role, locality and contact details along with your clients contact details, DOB and risk information – we can then contact the client for you.
  • Call 0113 230 2631 and give us the information in option 2 – we can then contact the client.
  • Email a completed copy of our referral form (downloaded from our website) to teedsmind.workplaceteedsreferals@nhs.net

The role of the IPS

Employment Specialist

In addition to supporting clients overcome any personal or more technical barriers to accessing employment, the role of the IPS Employment Specialist is to keep clinicians aware of the progress being made by their clients.

If our client is happy for potential employers to be aware they are working with us the Employment Specialist can use employer engagement to make connections across Leeds, to help match clients to roles that match their work aspiration goals and preferences.

If clients do not wish to share this we can still work together to prepare them for work and find the right positions for them.

Interviews and In Work

Support
Our IPS Employment Specialist’s continue to offer 1-2-1 intensive support in the lead up to interviews, and can liaise with prospective employers to arrange adjustments to the interview/ recruitment process.

Once in work Employment Specialists can continue to give support through the induction process and to offer in work support throughout the job placement, to help increase confidence and overcome any challenges faced whilst in the role.

In work support is what differentiates IPS from other employment services; giving our Employment specialist an opportunity to work with employers to help with support the clients wellbeing in work.

What to expect as a client

As an IPS client at WorkPlace Leeds you can expect support throughout all stages of your employment journey, Including:

• Regular one-to-one support, advice and guidance with an IPS Employment Specialist
• CV building and support with application forms
• Access to our Job Clubs, employability workshops and courses – including interview skills
• Training opportunities
• Ongoing in work support once you are in work
• Access to our dedicated IT service
• Building your confidence to engage with employers
• Benefits advice e.g. better off calculator.
• Supporting you to manage your mental health, leading up to and whilst in work.

“WorkPlace Leeds refer appropriate individuals and provide resources that build resilience and maximises the opportunities
for employees to stay well and thrive in their roles.”
– Atti